Biomethane has a "long-term role to play" in EU emissions goals

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The use of biomethane should be "scaled up rapidly across the EU", according to a coalition of 27 companies and organisations including automakers Volvo and Scania, utility firms Engie and RWE and shipping company NYK.

The group aims to work with public stakeholders to shore up support for the use of biomethane across the bloc, as well as "mobilising the biomethane supply chain", according to reports in Argus Media. The group also intends to "optimise the role of biomethane in achieving climate targets and to remove regulatory barriers."

Biomethane differs from fossil fuel derived methane in a number of ways despite both being a byproduct of organic matter. While natural gas is considered a fossil fuel, biomethane is classed as a green source of energy. Fossil fuel-derived methane is produced by millions of years old organic remains that are buried deep underground. Biomethane is produced by "fresh" organic material, therefore making it easy to produce renewable energy form.

Read more: EU lays out "Fit for 55" goals to cut carbon emissions

In the atmosphere, methane is around 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide, and its use for power generation produces CO2 emissions. However, despite these effects, biomethane does have a number of environmental advantages. If left to decompose naturally, the organic matter from which biomethane is produced would be released into the atmosphere, therefore its production dramatically reduces the release of methane into the atmosphere.

According to consultancy firm Guidehouse, EU biomethane production was 32TWh in 2020, with supply forecast to grow to 1,008-1,359TWh by 2050. Europe has the biomethane application potential for 350TWh by 2030 the group said.

Biomethane has a "long-term role to play" in the EU's push to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, the group claimed.

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